Sighting in a laser spot

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Hey all, I've got a question.

I recently got a Viridian green laser spot for my Glock 17. I know a lot of people sight in the spot to 7 or 10 yards, but i was wondering:

Wouldn't it make more sense to sight it in as far away as you can? If I sighted the spot in at maybe 25 yards, then, when it's closer, the furthest off it could be is the distance between the muzzle and the laser on the rail, or about 1.5" from center.

Or am I missing something important?

Thanks for listening, I look forward to hearing your opinions on the matter.

-Zzz

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zigziggityzoo wrote:

Hey all, I've got a question.

I recently got a Viridian green laser spot for my Glock 17. I know a lot of people sight in the spot to 7 or 10 yards, but i was wondering:

Wouldn't it make more sense to sight it in as far away as you can? If I sighted the spot in at maybe 25 yards, then, when it's closer, the furthest off it could be is the distance between the muzzle and the laser on the rail, or about 1.5" from center.

Or am I missing something important?

Thanks for listening, I look forward to hearing your opinions on the matter.

-Zzz

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Yep, you're missing something important. A bullet does not travel in a straight line but in a complicated parabola that deviates more from line of sight with distance.

I would be aware of the hypothetical prosecutor accusing that the gun was not intended for defensive purposes with this eXtra Gear and optimizing it for offensive ranges beyond defensive uses.

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Doug Huffman wrote:

Yep, you're missing something important.  A bullet does not travel in a straight line but in a complicated parabola that deviates more from line of sight with distance.

I would be aware of the hypothetical prosecutor accusing that the gun was not intended for defensive purposes with this eXtra Gear and optimizing it for offensive ranges beyond defensive uses.

Click to expand...

Well, I got the laser mostly for fun, and most likely wouldn't carry it on the gun when carrying for personal protection. (in addition to guns, I'm a closet flashlight/laser nerd...)

I plan on using the laser at the range, and would have it on my gun while in my own home. I would imagine during close quarters interactions, with someone breaking into my home, it could make things much easier with regard to aiming at an intruder.

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Doug Huffman wrote:

SNIP optimizing it for offensive ranges beyond defensive uses.

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Hah!

Just call it DMZ: Defensive Mumbai Zero.



In fact, I think I may go out this weekend and shift my own laser to DMZ.

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Doug Huffman wrote:

Yep, you're missing something important. A bullet does not travel in a straight line but in a complicated parabola that deviates more from line of sight with distance.

I would be aware of the hypothetical prosecutor accusing that the gun was not intended for defensive purposes with this eXtra Gear and optimizing it for offensive ranges beyond defensive uses.

Click to expand...

Doug ,I always enjoy your insight.

I would argue that a laser is just for defensive purposes.Zig, I think maybe your looking into it to much. I believe a laser is just for fast target acquisition. I have had two. The first one I adjusted the windage and elevation on it, but I asked myself "what was the point"?

The second laser I got illuminates the target just fine right out the box, and I hit the vitals of a paper target at 7 yards by just pointing and and firing.

Zig, you're talking about using a laser at 25 yards. A lot of folks don't realize it, but 25 yards is a long way for a pistol. I know it can be done, but it's freaking hard to bea good shot that far away with your average pistol.Most folks that start out will be amazed at how much your hand shakes at a 25 yard target. The laser will show you how unsteady your hand is at 25 yards.


I like lasers, they are a good tool, but I wouldn't relyon thim soley for aiming and accuracy.

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Doug Huffman wrote:

Yep, you're missing something important. A bullet does not travel in a straight line but in a complicated parabola that deviates more from line of sight with distance.

I would be aware of the hypothetical prosecutor accusing that the gun was not intended for defensive purposes with this eXtra Gear and optimizing it for offensive ranges beyond defensive uses.

Click to expand...

Very simple image to illustrate Doug's point:

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You can buy a lazer bore sight, the type you place in the front of your barrel, and quicly adjust your lazer sight to match it.

But as the illustration above shows, there is a specific range at which your lazer sight, your hard-sights and your ballistic trajectory should all converge most closely. Wouldn't this be the ideal distance to zero your weapon's lazer sight at?

Am I off target??